Founding Principles of It Takes Roots

The climate crisis is a symptom of a deeper problem: an economy based on extraction and exploitation of resources and people. This economy benefits a few at the expense of communities and the planet.

Communities across the country are united for a Just Transition away from an economy based on fossil fuel extraction and other dirty industries, and towards clean community energy, zero waste, public transit, local food systems and housing for all.

World leaders must take Climate Action to finance a Just Transition that keeps fossil fuels in the ground, creates millions of meaningful jobs, and puts our communities back to work building the infrastructure we really need to address the climate crisis.

Climate Action must be rooted in justice. The frontlines of the climate crisis are low-income people, communities of color and indigenous communities. We are the hardest hit by both climate disruption––the storms, floods and droughts––as well as by the extractive, polluting and wasteful industries causing global warming. We are also at the forefront of innovative community-led solutions that ensure a just transition off fossil fuels, and that support an economy good for both people and the planet.

It Takes Roots to Weather the Storm. We have been on the frontlines of the extractive fossil fuel economy, we have deep roots in the environmental justice movement, and now we are the forefront of climate justice and new economic solutions.

People on the frontlines of the climate crisis know what action needs to be taken, and are ready to make change happen. We need our governments and global leaders to catch up with the people on the ground.